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Current Song : The Fairy Waltz by Ayako Saso [Folksoul Original Soundtrack]
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time." - Leonard Bernstein.
Chapter Nine: Heaven's Distress.
Yuugi cautiously peeked his head out of his room to spot several men and women wearing distinctive, brown and gold cloaks leaving and entering the rooms that were located down the corridor from Jou and his own room. He winced when a few of the people slammed the doors harshly against the frames. He didn't know what they were looking for, but judging from the curses several of them were muttering out, they weren't getting very far in their search.
Closing the door gently, Yuugi made his way over to his bed where Leon's journal lay open. His conversation with the Emperor had been cut short when Seto had suddenly appeared looking too pale for the ruler's liking. The head councilmen had pulled Atemu aside and had furiously whispered something into his ears. Yuugi had watched as the Emperor's expression had turned grim at whatever information that he had been told.
Without a plausible explanation, Atemu had escorted him back to his room, and had told him to remain there for the time being. He didn't like being left out of the loop, but he'd had no choice in the matter at this point.
Caressing the worn journal, Yuugi returned his attention back to Leon's entries.
It has been a week since the war started, and we have come out triumphant in the battles near the coasts of Atlantis. The prince convinced His Majesty to let me visit my family, which I was eternally grateful for.
I tried to ignore the mostly empty streets that were once full of life as I made my way home, but nostalgia hit me when I arrived in the eastern sector. This place, once alive with the sounds of children running around and customers trying to get a lower price, was gone.
The only sounds that I heard came from the wind chimes hanging on the doors of the magic shops nearby. I greeted my parents and older brother enthusiastically when I walked into my childhood home. They told me that the Seers were steadily leaving the city without the Emperor's permission, and those of them who were caught were put in prison or executed.
I know now that the Emperor's mind has been lost to the paranoia he exhibited the weeks before the war begun. I also came to the horrifying conclusion that the Prince most likely knew about these executions, and let me into the city intentionally. I spent the remaining daylight hours with my family, and enjoyed their presence. When night descended upon us, I took my leave of them; not only for their safety, but for mine as well. As I walked through the streets, I came to a decision. It is time for me to visit the Divine Order; the home of the Seers.
Yuugi shut the journal with a snap. He didn't bother to ignore the feeling of nausea that overcame him at the thought of the Seers facing execution just because they'd wanted to be neutral during the war. He vaguely wondered if the same thing would happen to him. He shook his head and dispelled the thought. The Emperor would never let anything like that occur.
As Yuugi re-opened the journal and started to carefully flip the page he'd been on, he had the dreaded feeling of someone – or something – staring at him. Raising his head, Yuugi checked around the room before finally landing on the open balcony doors. He froze on the bed when he spotted a very large silver-colored wolf sitting on there.
He blinked several times before reaching up to pinch himself in the arm just to make sure that what he was seeing was real. How could a wolf get this far up? This room was on the third floor!
Yuugi watched, enthralled, as the wolf moved into his room and closer to him. Fear gripped him and Yuugi found himself unable to move or scream as the wolf finally stopped at the edge of his bed.
"I find it terribly amusing when I see the fear upon people's faces when they gaze upon me."
"You can speak?" Yuugi blurted out. He blushed lightly when the wolf released a rough laugh that was more of a growl.
"Contrary to popular belief, humans such as yourself are not the only creatures that are capable of speech, Young Seer."
"Who are you?" Yuugi made no move to approach the wolf. He still didn't know whether the creature was here to harm him or not.
"I have lived a long life, Young Seer. Names have become somewhat meaningless to me, but if you wish to call me by something, then you may call me Fenrir."
"Fenrir it is, then." He flinched when the large wolf gracefully climbed onto his bed. Fenrir gave him his version of a grin, which was all gleaming fangs. "My name is Yuugi Motou."
"I am well aware of who you are, Young Seer," Fenrir stated lightly. "You have become the talk of the palace."
"You said that you've lived a long life." Yuugi stared at the wolf curiously. "Where are you from?"
"I was born in the deep forests of Sylvantia. The Emperor of Elysian found me as a cub on his way back from a trip there."
"His Majesty found you?"
Another bark like laugh escaped Fenrir's mouth. "Ah, my apologies, Young Seer. I did not mean our current Emperor. I meant the ruler seven hundred years ago."
"S-Seven hundred years…?" Yuugi leaned closer to the wolf. "You don't look seven hundred years old."
"Magic is a wondrous thing, Young Seer." Fenrir gave him another grin. "The Emperor of my time blessed me with a long life span to protect the future rulers of this land. The side-effect of the spell is that I must bond with a ruler every few hundred years or so to reinforce my life."
"You don't get lonely? What of your family?"
"My family was extinguished when I was just a cub, Young Seer." Fenrir's tone was emotionless, and Yuugi fought down a wince. "I exist as a guardian to the Faenor family for as long as they deem it so."
"You are bonded to His Majesty, then?"
Fenrir's deep green eyes flashed in amusement. "Indeed I am. I have watched over that mischievous child since he was old enough to speak."
"I can't imagine His Majesty as being mischievous." he saw the Emperor as regal, graceful, and commanding. There was nothing mischievous or playful about the man.
"Duty has a way of changing a person." Fenrir stated vaguely. "Atemu has sent me to keep an eye on you for the time being, Young Seer."
"Has something happened?"
"Nothing that warrants worry," Fenrir replied. His eyes shifted over to the journal that was laying in Yuugi's hands. "Ah, so that's where it is. Atemu has given you a task, has he?"
"I wouldn't call it that." Yuugi touched the journal lightly and smiled. "I wanted to know about Seers since I am the only one in existence."
"That journal only tells the story of one Seer; one who was willing to tell the world of his trials." Fenrir stared at him with intense emerald eyes. "I think it is time for another to chronicle his journey."
"I have nothing to tell." Yuugi stated, turning away from the wolf's unyielding gaze. "Leon's life was exciting and he is a true hero. No one would want to know of my trials, as you call them."
"Who is to say that you yourself will not become a hero? One even better than Leon himself."
Before Yuugi could respond to that, his chamber door creaked open and Jou peaked in with a grin.
"Hey Yuugi! I brought you- Why is there a wolf lying on your bed?"
Atemu removed his hand from Noah's forehead and turned to Seto with a grim frown. "Nothing. There is nothing there. No memories or any kind of emotions."
"Someone is screwing with us," Seto snarled viciously. "The tracker team has found nothing?"
"They are still combing the palace." Atemu replied, pulling the covers back over Noah's shoulders. "It is only a matter of time before they find the culprit."
"They could not find that rogue mage so what makes you think they will find the perpetrator for this incident? Those trackers are useless."
"Seto-"
"Do not tell me to remain calm!" Seto gestured wildly at Noah. "Not when this happened right under our noses. He is my cousin-"
"He is my family as well," Atemu interrupted sharply. "Do you think that I like my people and my family to be constantly attacked? It will do us no good to cloud our judgement with anger. I will find the people who have done this. That I promise."
"What has he done to deserve such a fate?" Atemu closed his eyes at the pure pain he heard in his cousin's voice. "He has never harmed a soul."
"Innocent people do nothing, and yet fate deals them a terrible hand. It is, unfortunately, the way life goes at times, cousin." Atemu paused for a moment before speaking again. "We will find them Seto."
"You do not need to tell me that, Atemu." Seto said, his voice weary. "You are a man of your word. Have you looked at the letter yet?"
"I have. Thanks to Yuugi's vision yesterday, I am not surprised to see that King Crawford and Dartz are coming for a visit."
"The question is, why?"
"Yuugi," Atemu stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It has only been a few days since everything started, and that is more than enough time for it to have reached both lands. Especially if the both of them, or rather one of them, have spies running around."
"You suspect one of our own?" Seto asked, catching on to what the ruler was really saying.
"I'm beginning to assume that Mai was right about Raphael." Atemu started grudgingly. "Though he was accounted for, his story about being in the training quarters during the time of Noah's mind synch was lackluster at best."
"This must wait, Your Majesty," Seto murmured. "With both King Dartz and King Crawford on their way here, we must not let them know of the incidents that have occurred in these past few days."
"I am fully aware of that, Seto." Atemu released a mournful sigh and reached up to rub his temples. "This is beyond frustrating."
Seto let out a bitter chuckle. "Frustration, Your Majesty, is not the word for the situation we have found ourselves in." He turned back to Noah. "We can not leave him down here."
"No," Atemu replied solemnly. "We cannot." he watched as Seto bent down, placed his arms under Noah's slim legs, and lifted him out of the cold bed. "Take him to Ishizu, and tell her to perform a crystal sleep."
"That is a little extreme, is it not?" Seto remarked. "You think we will be able to make Noah better?"
Atemu knew that putting Noah into a crystal sleep, a deep sleep where magic would provide for all of his needs, was the absolute last resort for any kind of injury or spell. They did not have time to gather the necessary mages to wake the young man.
"We will help Noah in time, but for now we will initiate the crystal sleep and keep him safe."
"What more can they do?" Seto muttered bitterly, tightening his grip on his unconscious cousin.
Atemu thought it best not to answer that question.
"Your Majesty, we are ready to depart."
Dartz nodded his head at Timaeus before turning to his daughter. "I am leaving you in command while I am away, my child."
Christina reached forward and clasped her father's hands in hers. "May Leviathan guide you on your journey, father."
Dartz leaned down and pressed his lips to his daughter's pale forehead. "And may Leviathan keep you safe, my child."
The King pulled away and gently untangled their hands. He turned towards Timaeus and the small squad assembled.
"As all of you have been briefed, we make our way to the land of Elysian to re-establish ties long forgotten and lost. Do not disappoint me when we arrive within the capital city. Show the Elysians that the people of Atlantis are strong, but we can also be kind and trustworthy." he gave each of the soldiers standing before him a stern stare. "This is a journey of peace. Neither I nor General Timaeus will tolerate any sudden superiority complexes. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Timaeus bowed his head towards Dartz and Christina before turning to the squad of fifteen. "We will reach Elysian borders within seven days time. Be vigilant. We have His Majesty with us and we will protect him with our lives if need be. Am I understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
Timaeus nodded in satisfaction. "Very well, board the ship and I will assign your guard shifts shortly."
Dartz watched quietly as the soldiers, along with his entourage, boarded the magnificent ship before them.
"Timaeus, wait for a moment?"
The Knight-General halted his advance and turned towards his King. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
Dartz smiled at the reverence he heard in the younger man's tone. He was once again glad that he had chosen Timaeus for the tasks ahead. He knew that the man standing before him would become torn between duty to his King, and what would be right in his heart, but it would be worth the sacrifice in the end.
"There is a specific Elysian that I want to be brought back to our Kingdom once this journey is complete."
Timaeus' gray eye darkened with suspicion before it lowered to the wet ground. "A specific Elysian, Your Majesty?"
Dartz ignored the suspicion he saw in the commander's eye and continued. The younger man posed no threat to him, nor would he ever. "Yes, he is Elysian's Seer."
"A-A Seer?" Timaeus breathed. "Surely Emperor Faenor is aware of him or her."
"Of that I have no doubt. However, as you are most likely aware, Elysian's past treatment of the Seers has not been the most…pleasant."
Timaeus' eye darkened with anger. "The execution and imprisonment of the Seers has not been forgotten by the Atlantians or the Sylvantians, Your Majesty."
Dartz let a sincere smile pull at his lips at the anger in the younger general's voice. "Centuries have passed since the passing of Leon von Schroeder. It is indeed a true blessing that a Seer is among us again. It is through the guidance of Leviathan and for the people that I would have the Seer among people who would love him."
"The Seer is a young man?"
"Yes, a little younger than you yourself. I have an informant within Elysian borders and he tells me that the Elysians have not laid eyes upon the Seer yet."
"We will not hide him away as if he were some monster, Your Majesty."
"No, we shall not. That is the true reason for this journey, but it is you that must bring the Seer to our side Timaeus."
Timaeus blinked slowly. "I, Your Majesty? What makes you think that the Seer would come to our side because of me?"
"He will think of Atlantis as his home if he has someone to welcome him there with open arms and heart."
Dartz, thankfully, did not have to wait long for the true meaning of his words to reach the Knight. His lips twitched when a very light flush appeared on Timaeus' cheeks.
"You mean for me to court him, Your Majesty?" Timaeus coughed lightly. "I mean you no disrespect, Your Majesty, but do you know if the Seer fancies men?"
"You are a handsome man, Timaeus." Dartz put his hand on the armored shoulder. "I am sure that not even the Seer would be able to spurn your advances. Will you take on this task I have set before you? If you succeed, then all of Atlantis will praise you, and the Seer will be safe."
"If it is your will, Your Majesty, then I shall carry it out."
"You will not see him again today, child?"
Atemu opened his eyes and spotted Fenrir beside him. He had always hated how the wolf was able to use transportation magic so easily.
"No," the ruler murmured. "Let him have peace for the moment." He reached down, picked the letter off his desk, and read it for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Emperor Atemu Faenor of the Kingdom of Elysian.
I beg your pardon for the abrupt arrival of this letter, but I am writing to inform you that I, along with King Crawford of Sylvantia, will be coming to visit your lands. The both of us have agreed that it is time to re-establish ties. I do sincerely hope that you will not be displeased with our arrivals?
King Crawford and I hope that we will leave your lands with signed treaties, stating we have become strong and resourceful allies; the same as we were before the wars that tore our countries apart.
We look forward to gazing upon the prosperity and hospitality of Elysian.
Yours sincerely.
King Dartz of the Kingdom of Atlantis.
Atemu set the letter back down and turned to Fenrir, who had taken up watching him quietly. "What do you think of Yuugi?"
"The child is very humble of his own abilities. I admire that he does not take to the limelight because he is the only Seer in existence." Fenrir moved closer and nudged his head against Atemu's arm. "What is troubling you?"
"King Dartz and King Crawford are on their way as we speak. I am not the idiot they think I am. I know that they have heard the rumors about Yuugi's appearance."
"Of course they have," Fenrir lay down next to the Emperor's feet. "It will take the both of them a solid week or more to arrive within our borders. Until then we must think of something to keep the Young Seer safe."
"What do you have in mind?"
Fenrir was silent for a moment before replying. "… It would not hurt for you to get engaged, Atemu."
Atemu froze in his seat and gave the wolf laying before him a blank look. "… You mean for me to marry, Yuugi?"
"Unless your counterparts want to risk war, they will not take your consort away now will they?"
"They would be fools to do such a thing," Atemu agreed. "The problem that lays ahead for us is Yuugi actually agreeing to this farce."
"Who said it was a farce?" Fenrir's voice held amusement, but Atemu did not miss the serious tone that lay underneath it.
"You cannot be serious, Fenrir-"
"Just think of it, Atemu." Fenrir interrupted smoothly. "The reigning Emperor of Elysian, who is a magical prodigy and has brought his land back to prosperity, and Yuugi Motou, the beloved Seer. It will be a match that will go down in history."
"I am not ruling these lands to go down in history. I do so to protect the people and the coming generations."
"Be that as it may, Atemu, you still need to protect the young Seer. So, what say you? Will you take Yuugi's hand in marriage? Or at least consider this engagement?"
Atemu could not imagine what Yuugi would say if he were to bring this subject up. He did not know the young man enough to guess at a reaction.
"We have a little over a week to decide on this matter. I will promise to talk this over with him, Fenrir, nothing more and nothing less."
A/N : With Dartz and Pegasus on the way. What is Atemu going to do? And what about the marriage proposal? So many things to think about and do! But! You guys won't know anything until the next chapter *grin* Hope you Enjoyed reading. Until next time!
